The odds are stacked against New Zealand as it prepares to take on Costa Rica in the final inter-confederation FIFA World Cup playoff final at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Tuesday.
Costa Rica prides of several big game players like former Real Madrid and current PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas forward Joel Campbell and midfielder Celso Borges.
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New Zealand, on the other hand, has calrified that it is content to enter the contest as underdogs, but has plenty of power, given the kind of potential Chris Wood has shown in the Premier League with Burnley as well as after his move to Newcastle United.
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The team flexed its attacking prowess in the Oceania World Cup qualifier, netting five goals against Solomon Islands and will hope to do the same against a more challenging and strronger Costa Rica on Tuesday.
The winner will join Spain, Germany and Japan in Group E.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Costa Rica and New Zealand have faced off against each other only once before in international football. The North American side brushed aside their opponents 4-0 in the 2007 friendly game.
FORM GUIDE: Costa Rica comes into the match with four wins in its last five matches, while New Zealand is without a win since its victory in the Oceania World Cup Qualifiers against Solomon Islands.
New Zealand's last five games:
- New Zealand v Oman 0-0
- Peru v New Zealand 1-0
- Solomon Islands v New Zealand 0-5
- New Zealand v Tahiti 1-0
- New Zealand v New Caledonia 7-1
Costa Rica’s last five games:
- Costa Rica v Martinique 2-0
- Panama v Costa Rica 2-0
- Costa Rica v USA 2-0
- El Salvador v Costa Rica 1-2
- Costa Rica v Canada 1-0
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New Zealand squad
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Costa Rica squad
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